Six Degrees Of Bobby Bowden

The trivia game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is based on the concept that any actor can be linked, through their film roles, to actor Kevin Bacon. The game requires a group of players to try to connect any film actor in history to Kevin Bacon as quickly as possible and in as few links as possible.

The upcoming FSU-Alabama game resembles the six degrees phenomena. There are many connections in the two programs. We start with Bobby Bowden, an Alabama native who attended Alabama for a short time and was an Alabama fan growing up in the state.

Then we have Dave Hart who arranged the upcming game and is a graduate of Alabama.

Kevin Steele was Bobby Bowden’s linebackers coach, and named executive head coach in 2005. He left for Tuscaloosa when Nick Saban was hired in part to be closer to his parents, and because it’s Alabama, where his uncle Tommy White (1958-60) played for Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.

But not so fast my friends. There's more. FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher had the same position with Saban at LSU (2000-04). Alabama assistant head coach and secondary coach Kirby Smart was a graduate assistant coach at Florida State in 2002-3. Seminoles assistant head coach and offensive line coach Rick Trickett had the same position with Saban at LSU in 2000. His son, Travis, is currently a graduate assistant at Alabama. FSU wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey was also a graduate assistant at LSU in 2003.

Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews was a football and baseball player on the Capstone in the 1960s, and won two national championships under Bryant.

Tide assistant head coach and offensive line coach Joe Pendry was on Bowden’s staff from 1970-74 as a graduate assistant, freshman coach, wide receivers coach and offensive line coach. After Bowden left for Florida State in 1976, Pendry returned for a two-year stint as offensive coordinator.

Tide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Curt Cignetti worked for Chuck Amato at North Carolina State from 2000-06. Amato is Bowden’s executive head coach and linebacker’s coach.